Busch Gardens Tampa announces Falcon's Fury drop tower

Theme-park guests will fall more than 300 feet, face first, at 60 miles per hour when Busch Gardens Tampa Bay opens Falcon's Fury in spring 2014. Falcon's Fury will be more than 100 feet taller than SheiKra, Busch Gardens' highest roller coaster at 200 feet tall. It will be taller than every Central Florida attraction.

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RCMAC

Wednesday, June 12, 2013 8:11 PM

They stole my idea. I've often wondered why drop towers didn't feature rotating seats to send riders face first or even head first for an OMG thrill. Busch doesn't seem to be having much luck with the tower these days. Any concerns out there that this is an Intamin product?

LostKause

Thursday, June 13, 2013 2:04 AM

It reminds me of the exact reason I dislike the Vekoma Flyers so much. All your weight is on the restraints, and I have extreme fear of what would happen if the restraint somehow malfunctioned. It wouldn't be the drop that would terrify me, but the sudden stop at the bottom of the tower. I bet the ride will start to stop midway so that the stop is not so sudden.

Fun

Vater

Thursday, June 13, 2013 9:49 AM

LostKause said:

All your weight is on the restraints, and I have extreme fear of what would happen if the restraint somehow malfunctioned. It wouldn't be the drop that would terrify me, but the sudden stop at the bottom of the tower.

I know what you meant, but reading the second sentence in context with the first is quite hilarious. Yep, that sudden stop at the bottom would really suck.

Walk-Off HBP

I've often wondered why drop towers didn't feature rotating seats to send riders face first or even head first...

I've always thought to myself that laying flat on your back facing up (think Vekoma Dutchman reclining in the station) would make for a particularly interesting Drop Tower. Maybe one day...

I'm thrilled that they went with Intamin rather than Moser (or S&S). Bonus points that it isn't a Gyro-Drop. Very excited about this addition. This will soften the blow for me if those rumors about Gwazi's future (or lack thereof) prove true.

rollergator

Thursday, June 13, 2013 11:49 AM

To me, Gwazi had deteriorated SO badly that it was either RMC or a "taer it down" situation. For me to say that about a wooden coaster...that's saying something. I'll miss Gwazi, but clearly it wasn't getting better even after multiple rehabs, new trains, etc.

Jeff

SteveWoA

Thursday, June 13, 2013 1:06 PM

Yeah, it appears Gwazi does not have much time left honestly.

As far as this ride... Looks scary as hell. Although, it IS Intamin and a similiar ride, Acrophobia, does not have the best reliability so I am concerned how much downtime this one will have as well. Maybe they figured it out, though...

SteveWoA

Thursday, June 13, 2013 7:06 PM

It's a shame though, Gwazi is a really good coaster. Even when we rode it a few weeks ago it had potential... But it just NEEDS some trackwork. Sad to see such a relatively young ride get scrapped because a lack of care.

DejaVuNitro

Thursday, June 13, 2013 7:11 PM

The problem is at this point, much like Son of Beast, even if they were to get it running like it should the damage to its reputation has been done. How do you bring people back to this ride? Advertise that it *does not* suck anymore?

RCMAC

Thursday, June 13, 2013 7:36 PM

Maybe the problem is there's no off season in Florida. When it comes time for track work at seasonal parks it can be done in the winter, but at Busch they'd wind up pissing guests off for months if they bring the ride down for proper re-hab. Which they've done, but not successfully. One might say Gwazi is ideal because there's two sides, but I can't help but think there's something off-putting for guests to see half the ride with the track torn up. Besides, the idea of the ride to begin with was to offer a dueling experience, so...

I liked Gwazi, and don't have nearly the complaints about it I hear going around. (except for really strange station procedures) Maybe I just caught it on the good years.

Concrete Enchilada

Friday, June 14, 2013 10:16 AM

Falcon's Fury looks awesome! I am surprised the tilting seats haven't been introduced sooner on a drop tower. Hopefully it will simulate a sky diving experience.

As for Gwazi, I wish for the best for these coasters. I rode them new and they were awesome! Is it a matter of justifying maintenance for two woodies? Fixing/ replacing tracks is always an ongoing. Also, the track is typically walked in order to inspect it. thus, I understand if the ride's popularity/ demand is low, it would be hard to justify maintaining both sides. Any thoughts?